It seems like just a couple of weeks ago we were counting down the days until the start of the season, and now we’re counting down the days until the end.

For all MAIS schools and MHSAA schools in classes 2A-5A, the regular season comes to an end on Friday night.

For MHSAA class 1A and 6A schools and all LHSAA schools, the season ends a week after that.

But for most of our area teams, the season won’t end this week or next.

As many as nine of the 11 schools in The Democrat’s coverage area can make the state playoffs.

It’s already been a banner year for football teams around the area, but that would be the icing on the cake.

The scenarios are clear for most of the area teams while they are a bit murkier for others.

The team with the clearest playoff scenario is obviously Trinity Episcopal.

The Saints had already clinched a playoff spot before the season started due to there being just two teams in District 6-A.

After their 50-15 thrashing of Tallulah on Friday night, the Saints clinched the district championship and will have home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

The road is almost as simple for the Cathedral Green Wave.

The Wave clinched a playoff spot with their 47-21 win over Bogue Chitto on Friday, and can win Region 4-1A for the first time since 1993 with aa win over Dexter on Friday or a win over Salem the following Friday.

That would guarantee Cathedral a home playoff game, something the Green Wave haven’t had since 1997.

Natchez High has won its last three Region 3-6A games after starting region play 0-2.

The Bulldogs can see the playoff light at the end of the tunnel, but they’re not there yet.

Natchez can clinch a playoff spot this week with a win over Wingfield if Hattiesburg loses to Terry as well.

If Natchez and Hattiesburg both win this week, it will come down to the final week of the season, with the winner of the Natchez-Hattiesburg game making the playoffs, and the loser staying home.

Franklin County can clinch a playoff spot with a win over Jefferson County on Friday, which would also lock down a playoff spot for Wilkinson County in Region 7-3A, thanks to the Wildcats’ victory over the Tigers earlier this season.

However, should Jefferson County defeat Franklin County and Wilkinson County lose to Tylertown, all three teams would have the same district record, and a tiebreaker would have to be used to determine which two teams make the playoffs.

Ferriday clinched a playoff spot with its win over Lake Providence last week, and will battle for the District 2-2A title in the last two weeks of the season.

Centreville has also clinched a playoff spot out of MAIS District 5-AA and will play Central Private for the district title on Friday.

Adams County Christian wound up finishing third in District 5-AA, and will have to hope it has enough power points to squeak out a wild card spot.

WCCA and Vidalia have definitely been eliminated from playoff contention.

So with all these teams in playoff contention, it looks to be a great final couple of weeks of the season.

So get out there, cheer on your favorite team and enjoy them.